Electric-railway-crossing gate.



A. s.- KOBLI NG. BLEGTRIG RAILWAY CROSSING GATE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 6, 1912. RENEWED JAN. 3, 1914.

1,086,775. Patented Feb. 10, 1914.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

A. S. KOBLING. ELECTRIC RAILWAY CROSSING GATE. APPLICATION FILED NOV. 6,1912. RENEWED JAN. 3, 1914. 1,086,775

Patented Feb 10, 1914 SHEETS HEET 2 INVENTOR Ll. dflbla'ny WITNESSE dATTORNEYS A. S. KOBLING. ELECTRIC RAILWAY CROSSING GATE. APPLICATIONFILED NOV. 6; 1912. nmmwsn JAN. 3, 1914.

Patented Feb. 10, 1914.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

INVENTOR J WITNESSES .lib6

' Ai'TonusYs A. S. KOBLING.- ELECTRIC RAILWAY CROSSING GATE. APPLICATIONFILED my. 6, 1912. RENEWED JAN. 3, 1914.

1,086,775. Patented Feb. 10, 1914.

' a SHEBTSSHEET 4.

m 5 x a s s F L is I h E g 3 D D WITNESSES I INVENTOR ATTOR NEYS A. S.KOBLING.

ELECTRIC RAILWAY CROSSING GATE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 6, 1912. RENEWED JAN. 3, 1914.

Patented Feb. 10, 1914.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

\Q R Q R W o r m m N NQN 3 a 3 j H u u A Viv q d i @N D D n 7 U D %v\ uu E D a m N m a 5 2 u u a m T A I A. S. KOBLING. ELECTRIC RAILWAYCROSSING GATE. APPLICATION FILED NOV. 8, 1912. RENEWED JAN. 3, 1914.,775, Patented Feb. 10, 1914.

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WITNESSE INVENTOH ATTORNEYS A. s. KOBLING.

ELECTRIC RAILWAY CROSSING GATE. APPLIOATIONIILED NOV. 6, 1912. RENEWEDJAN. 3, 1914. 1,086,775.

Patented Feb. 10, 1914.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 7.

WITNESSES if r I r ATTORNEYS A. S. KOBLING. ELECTRIC RAILWAY CROSSINGGATE. APPLICATION FILED NOV. 6, 1912. RENEWED JAN. 3, 1914.

8 SHEETS-SHEET B.

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WITNESSES l NVENTOR all of which are employed for UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE.

ANTON S. KOBLING, OF WALLINGFORD, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR, DIRECT ANDHESNE ASSIGNMENTS, 0F ONE-THIRD TO SOPHIA TOTH, ONE-SIXTH TO. TONYBODAK, AND ONE-SIXTH T0 ANDREW KRAJNYAK, 0F WALLINGFORD, CON- nncrrcu'r.

nLEcraIc-nAILwAY-cnossmG GATE.

Patented Feb. 10, 1914.

Application filed November 6, 1912, Serial No. 729,879. Renewed January3, 1914. Serial No. 810,256.

To all whom it may concern: I

Be it known that I, AN'roN S. KoisLiuo, a subject of the King ofHungary, residing at Wallingford, in the county of New Haven and Stateof Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvement-s inElectric-Railway-Crossing Gates, of which the following is aspecification, reference being hadtherein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to electric railway crossing gates especiallydesigned for a onetrack system operat-m trains in one direction, butwith certain modifications applicable to systems having more than onetrack and operating trains in both directions.

The primary object of my invention is to provide automaticallycontrolledand electrically operated crossing gates hav1ng an alarm andgate opening and closing devices, reventing animals and vehicles rombeing pedestrians,

1n ured or run down by rolling stock and killed.

Another object of this invention is to provide a railway crossing gatethat, is electrically lowered by a. novel mechanism and automaticallyreleased and restored to an open position by utilized springs or theirmechanical equivalent.

A still further object of this invention is to provide crossing gatesthat are positive in their action, not liable to injury by ordinary useand highly eiiicient for insuring the safety of persons, animals andvehicles at :1

- railway crossing.

The invention in its broadest aspect involves positive and reliablemeans for lowering and raising gates, the construction of the mechanismbeing such that mmediately upon a train or rolling stock approach-ingthe crossing the gates are lowered and an alarm continuously soundedwhile the train is passing, the gates belng automatically raised as therear end of the trainpasses over the crossing. To this end I have de-'vised a gate operating mechanism that can be used in connection withvarious kinds of railways or roads and controlled by various kinds ofrolling stock or vehicles.

In the accompanying drawings I have represented and herein I describe agood form of crossing gate embodying my invent1on so far as it isconcerned with a railway, and adapted to efiectuate my method of closingand opening the gates.

The principal elements of the invention,- namely, towers and gates, gateclosing device, gate opening device and the track equipment will behereinafter separately and specifically described in detail, togetherwith several generic controlling and operating mechanisms, theirassociated cooperating appliances, and objects accomplished from such acombination of elements.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a diagrammatic plan of the electric railwaycrossing gates in accordance with my invention, Fig. 2 is an enlargedcross sectional view of a track showing a portion of a tower inelevation and another tower in vertical section, together with a gatereleasing mechanism, Fig. 3 is an enlarged elevation of the inner sideof a tower showing a portion of a gate in an open position, Fig. 4 is asimilar view showing a portion ofthe gate in a closed position, Fig. 5is a side elevation of a gate closing device, showing the position ofthe device prior to actuation, Fig. 6 is a similar view showing thedevice actuated, Fig. 7 is a plan of a gate closing device projectedfrom Y Fig. 10 is a perspective View of a portion of a gate, Fig. 11 isan enlarged longitudinal sectional view ofthe gate operating mechanism,Fig. 12 is a plan of the same, showing. a mechanism as actuated foropening a gate, Fig. 13 is a similar view showin the mechanism actuatedto release a gate, ig. 14 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken onthe line XIV-XIV of Fig. 12, and Fig. 15 is a similar view taken on theline XV-XV of Fig. 13.

T aware and gates.-Reference will first be had to Figs. 1 to 4inclusive, particularly Fig. 1 showing'a single track composed of rails1 and 2. Located at the outer sides of the rails and oppositely disposedupon suitable foundations or structures 3 are towers 4 and 5 that areidentical in construction. The towers are preferably made of metal andprovided with detachable caps 6 whereby easy access can be had to theinterior of said towers for assembling certain elements therein. Eachtower has transversely alining bearings 7 for a rock shaft 8 having theends thereof protruding from the sides of the tower. Mounted upon theends of the rock approaching can easily swing'the sections 12 outwardlyand escape from an approaching train.

Gate closing dem'ce.The foundations or structures 3 supporting thetowers 4 and 5 contain a gate closing device or mechanism, best shown inFigs. 11 to 15 inclusive and Figs. 3 and 4. In the structures 3 there islocated a'main operating shaft 13 that extends beneath the track, saidshaft being j ournaled in suitable bearings 14. The shaft 13 directlybeneath the towers 4 and 5 has sprocket wheels 15 vertically aliningwith similar wheels 16 mounted upon the shafts 8 within the towers 4 and5. Connecting the sprocket wheels 15 and 16 are endless sprocketchains17. The shaft 13 is provided with a large ear wheel 18 meshingwith a small gear w eel 19 mounted upon a shaft 20, journaled inbearings 21. Loosely mounted upon the shaft 20 is a large gear wheel 22meshing with a small gear wheel 23 mounted upon a shaft 24 journaled inbearings 25. Mounted upon the shaft 24 is a large gear wheel 26 meshingwith a small gear wheel 27 mounted upon the armature shaft 28 of anelectric motor 29,which is so constructed as to withstand a continuousapplication of electrical pressure.

The gear wheels 18, 19, 22, 23, 26 and 27 represent a train of gears ortransmission mechanism for imparting movement to the shaft 13 from theelectric motor 29,-and the operation of the shaft 1.3 in one directionis controlled by a'clutch member 30 slidably mounted upon the shaft 20to rotate there 6b lever 33 mounted upon a suitable bearing 34 adjacentto the clutch members. The end of said cam shifting said lever to movethe clutch member 30, whereby the'shafts 20 and 13 are free to revolveindependent of the electric motor. I The bearing 14 adjacent to the cam35 is 37 for a. coiled compression spring 38. The bracket is providedwith bearings 39 for a latch 40 that has a beveled end 41 engaging .theend of the lever 33. The bracket 36 is said latch and said latch isnormally held in engagement with the lever 33 by a compression spring38. The latch 40 is in the path of a radially disposed crank or arm 43,carried by the shaft 13 and positioned for operation when the cam 35 isinactive.

Gate opening device-Referring to Figs.

shaft 8 of each tower is encircled by a spiral band spring 44 that hasone end thereof attached to the shaft 8, as at 45 and the opposite endthereof to a pin46, carried by the innerside of the tower. When theshaft 8 is rocked in one direction, closing the gate 11, the band spring44 is wound or placed under tension, as shown in Fig. 4.

Theinnerarms 10 of the gates have sectors 47 provided with racks'48. Theracks 48 are engaged by pawls 49 and 50 pivotally connected, as at 51 tobearings 52 carried by the towers 4 and 5. The lower end of the pawl 50is engaged by the bifurcated angle end 53 of a rod 54 extending beneaththe track toward the tower 4, said rod, being pivotally connected, as at55 to an angle arm 56 that has a bifurcated end engaging the lower endof the pawl 49. The angle arm 56 .is pivotally mounted, as at 57 in abearing 58, located adjacent to the tower. 1

Connected to the rod 54 is a wheel actuated trip, comprising an upright59 that extends upwardly between ties or foundation blocks 60. The upperend of the upright has a contact piece 61 provided with a rod 62slidably mounted in'a bearing 63 carried by the foundation blocks orties 60. Encircling the rod 62 is a coiled compression spring 64. thatholds the contact piece 61 normally in -engagement with a stop 65,carried by the inner side of the rail 2. Thecontact piece 61 is spacedapart from the rail 2 and is adapted to be engaged by. a dependingdetachable member 66 arranged upon a car or at the end of a train,whereby the member will engage the contact piece and shift the upright59 and the rod 54. Theends of the rod move the pawls 49 and 50 out ofengagement with the racks 48 and allow the springs 44, which have beenplaced under tension, to close the gates.

The pawls 49 and 50 are normally in enthe lever 33 is held normallyagainst the I side of a cam 35 mounted upon the shaft 13,

slotted, as at 42 to provide clearance for \provided with a bracket 36having a socket 2 to 4 inclusive, it will be observed that the V longesttrain, is a shoe 69 arranged at the outer side of the rail 2 against thehead thereof and extending above the head to be engaged by a wheel ofrolling stock. The

shoe 69 has the ends thereof provided with apertnred lugs pivotallyconnected by links 71 to apertured lugs 72 of a tie plate 73. The tieplate 73 has a hanger 74 provided with a bearing 7 5 and adjacent to thebearing 75 is another bearing 76 suitably supported at the side of thetrack. Journaled in the bearings 7 5 and 76 is a rock shaft 7 8 having acrank 79 adjacent to the bearings 7 6 and a crank 80 adjacent to thebearing 7 5. The crank' 80 is provided with a pin 81 engaging :1.depending apertured lug 82, carried by the bottom of the shoe 69.Extending through the apertured lug 82 is a guide rod 83 mounted inbearings 84, carried by the tie plate 73. Encircling the rod 83 betweenthe bearings 84 and the lug 82 are coiled compression springs85 thatholdthe shoe 69 normally above the tread or head of the rail 2.

Connected to thecrank 79 is a reach rod or rods 86 that is inparallelism with the track to a point in proximity to the towers 4 and5, where it is connected by a chain 87 or other flexible connection to alever 88 pivotally' connected to a bearing 89 suitably supported at theside of the track. The chain 87 extends under a revoluble sheave 90carried by a bearing 91 adjacent to the lever 88. The lever 88 ispivotally connected, as at 92 to the lower end of a plunger 93 thatextends into a cut-out device 94 located adjacent to the tower 4. Now,this out-out device is of the ordinary and well known type used inconnection with a great many electrical apparatus and other than thatthe plunger 93 is spring actuated and normally elevated, the structuraldetails of the cut-out device form no part of this invention. Thecut-out device is connected by wires 95 to an electric generator orstorage batteries 96 and by wires 97 to the motor 29. The cut-out deviceis also connected by wires 98 to an electric bell 99 or an audiblesignal.

The plunger 93, adjacent to the lower end thereof, has a notch 100 andwhen the plunger is lowered, through the medium of the elements 69 to 91inclusive, a slide 101 engages in the notch 100 and locks the plunger 93in a lowered position. The slide 101 is arranged in a bearing or bracket102 beneath the cut out 94. The slide 101 has an open ing 103 providingclearance for the plunger and a depending arm 104 extending through aslot 105 in the bracket 102. The arm 104 is connected to a yoke 106carried by a con- 1 necting member 107 that extends under the rail 2 andthrough bearings 108, ad acent to said rail. The member is provided witha hired shoe 109 that extends in proximity to the tread or head of therail 2, and engaging the fixed end of said shoe and the bearings 108 isa coiled compression spring that encircles the member 107.

; General operation--When a train is approaching .the towers 4 and-5 inthe direction of the arrow, as shown in Fig. 1, a wheel of a locomotiveor car encounters the depressions of the shoe 69. The shoe 09 is pushedforwardly and downwardly and through the medium of the lug 82,- pin 81and crank 80 the shaft 7 8 is rocked. As the shoe 69 is of greaterlength than the distance between two trucks or the length of a car,

said" shoe is retained in a" lowered position as long as a train isapproaching the towers. W hen the shaft 78 is rocked the plunger 93 ofthe cut-out 94'is lowered through the medium of the elements 86 to 91inclusive and is immediately locked in a lowered position by the slide101 which is shifted by the spring pressed connecting member 107. Theshoe 109 is therefore carried into engagement with the rail 2, as shownin Fig. 8. When the plunger 93 of the cut out is lowered electriccircuits are immediately established between the source of electricenergy 96, the motor 29 and the electric bell 99.

When the motor 29 is placed in operation the gate closing device is inthe position shown in Figs. 11 and 12, clutch member30 is in engagementwith, the clutch member 32. The motor therefore imparts movement to theshaft 13 and movement from this shaft is imparted to the shafts 8 of thetowers 4 and 5 through the medium of the sprocket wheels15 and 16 andthe'sprocket' chains 17. The shafts 8 are therefore rocked v and thegates 11 lowered, placing the springs 44 under tension. The gates 11 arelocked in a loweredposition by the spring pressed pawls 49 and 50engaging the racks 48 of the gate arms 10. Immediately upon the gatesreaching a lowered and locked position the cam 35 of the shaft 13 shiftsthe lever 33 and moves the clutch member 30 out of engagement with v themember 32. The

spring pressed latch 40 locks the lever 33 holding the spring 31associated with theclutch member 30 under tension.'

' As the circuit has been completed through the electric bell 99 anaudible signal is sounded that continues to sound until" thelocomobroken to the motor 29 and the electric bell A 99. The locomotiveor first car is by this time at the crossing and the gates are closed.

The rear end of the train or last car has passed ofi the shoe 69 priorto the plunger 93 being released, consequently the shoe 69 is restoredto its normal position through the medium of the springs 85.

As the last car reaches the crossing the member 66 carried by the carencounters the contact piece 61 of the gate releasing mechanism and thetrip, shown in Fig. 2, is shifted to move the pawls 49 and 50, releasingthe arms 10 of the gates 11 and allowing the springs 44, which have beenunder tension while the gates have been closed, to elevate or raise thegates to an open position. Of course the shafts 8 are rocked, and impartmovement to the shaft 13 causing the crank 43 to impinge the outer endof thelatch 40 and raise the inner end thereof, release the lever 33 andallow the spring 31 to place the clutch member 30 in engagement with theclutch member 32. The gate closing device is therefore restored to itsnormal position and is in condition to again be set in operation byanother train or car engaging the shoe 69.

The detachable member 66 can be made a partof a train or car equipmentand itis the duty of a trainman, to see that the said member is inposition for use in connection with a track having crossing gates inaccordance with this invention.

It is thought that the operation and utility of the invention will beapparent without further descri tion and while in the drawings there isillustrated a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to beunderstood that the structural elements are susceptible tosuch changes,as in the size, shape and manner of assemblage as fall within the scopeof the appended claims.

What I claim is 1. In electric railway gates for crossings, thecombination with a track, and asuitable source of electric energy, oftowers at the side of said track, gates supported by said towers, agateclosing device adjacent to said towers and including an electricmotor in circuit'with said source of electric energy, a train of gearsand a transmission mechanism extending into said towers for loweringsaid gates, a track equipment including a shoe and cut-out forcompleting a circuit in connection with said motor, a track equipmentincluding a shoe in connection with said out out for breaking thecircuit in connection in circuit with said source of electric.

energy, a train of gears and atransmission mechanism extending into saidtowers for lowering said gates, a track equipment including a shoe andcut-out for completing a circuit in connection with said motor, a trackequipment including a shoe in connection with said cutout for breakingthe circuit in connection with said motor, means within said towers forraising said gates, means at said towers for locking said gates in alowered position, and means adjacent to said track and actuated byrolling stock thereon for releasing the locking means of said gates.

3. In electric gates for railway crossings, the combination witha'track, and a suitable source of electric energy, of towers, gatescarried thereby, meansincluding an electric motor in circuit with saidsource of electric energy and a transmission mechanism extending intosaid towers for lowering said gates, means at said tower and includingspring pressed pawls and a trip for locking said gates in a loweredposition, and a-member adapted to be carried by rolling stock to engagesaid trip and release said locking mechanism.

4. In electric gates for railway crossings, the combination with atrack, and a suitable source of electric energy, of towers, gatescarriedthereby, means including an electric motor in circuit with saidsource of electric energy and a transmission mechanism extending intosaid towers for lowering said gates, means at said tower and includingspring pressed pawls and a trip for locking said gates in a loweredposition, a member adapted to be carried by rolling stock to engage saidtrip and release sald locking mechanism, and means arranged within saidtowers and independent of the first mentioned means for elevating saidgates.

5. In electric gates for railway crossings, the combination with atrack, and a suitable source of electric energy, of towers, gatescarried thereby, means including an electric motor in circuit with saidsource of electric energy and a transmission mechanism extending intosaid towers for lowering said gates, means at said tower and includingspringpressed pawls and a trip for locking said gates in a loweredosition, a member adapted to be carried by rolling stock toengage saidtrip and release said locking mechanism, means arranged within Intestimony whereof I affix my signature said towers and ifndepiendent of133116 first in the presence of two Witnesses.

mentioned means or eevating sai gates, m

and means includiing track shoes and a, cut ANLON KOBLING 5 out incircuit with said source of electric Witnesses:

energy for controlling the operation of said DONOTS GOMMARING,

motor. JOHN J. BARTEK, J r.

